Need Kwik-Ezee Caster Gauge Help

Anyone familiar with these?

 

No, but I like it. Just recently used a cheap angle finder on the axle to find caster, probably not a good method or tool.

 

This is the best hand held gauge I've ever used. $900 new. Was out of production the last time I called. I'd buy a good used one if it ever turned up.

http://www.kwikezee.com/html/m3ax.htm

I have not used the now out of production Aamco or Howe tools. I own a longacre device and a Smart Camber. I think the Longacre tool is better. The Quick Trick tool looks like junk and I don't trust the company.

The Harbor Freight angle finder I had worked excellent until it went out of calibration.

Jeff
TheAlignmentGuy.com

 

You can probably apply the instructions from any of the type that stick onto the spindle like that...read camber directly, then re-measure it at X degrees of steering each way and derive caster from that?? Or was that for income tax?? Memory is flaking...

 

This tool has the castor measurement device built in. It's a stupendous tool.

Using a regular camber gauge, and by comparing to my computer; if you measure camber at 20* of steering each direction, then multiply the difference by 1.5, you get a pretty accurate castor number.

If 20* of steering out is +1* of camber, and 20* of steering in is -2* of camber, the different is 3*, times 1.5 = 4.5. If this doesn't seem to work for folks I'll check it again.

JMF

 

Ask and E-bay did provide. Finally one came up and I was able to buy it.

Other than needing calibration, it seems in good working order. The Kwik Ezee website states "A simple built-in adjustment allows maintaining the calibration of the gauge in the field". I'll likely send an email to them to see how this is done. ...even with the device out of production for years, they guy still replies to emails.

Part of me wants to reverse engineer it and make more.

JMF TAG

 

Please post the instructions if you find them.

 

Yeah I scored mine on ebay for $15 when I first posted this thread! It's the older style that uses the cotter pin hole in the spindle instead of a magnet but that's ok. Its one of those tools that makes you think Wow, this thing is really nice. I haven't done any calibration other than holding against a level and making sure the bubble was centered at 0.

 

Stempf sent me four pages of exploded view parts lists and setup instructions as PDFs. I attached them here. Sorry about the sideways and upside down pages. That's how it was sent to me.

I think mine is pretty early as well. It has a machined spiral vs an internal cam like Hoover's had, and a pointy end. It also lacks the cam on the central post for calibration.

Hoover's had the internal cam, but a pointy end, making it seem to me like the "#2" design.

The one on the website has the internal cam and a blunt end, making me think it's the last "#3" version. The one in the website also matches the one in the paperwork Stempf sent.
http://www.stempf.com/
http://www.northstarmfg.com/

Jeff

 

PDF is working, thanks.

Now off to read it.

 

Word from Kwik Ezee is that my gauge is "at least 70 years old" and that Blowby's spindle mount is even older.

They did have a replacement pointer for mine as well. I ordered it through Stempf who use to be a/the distributor for the tools. If looking for parts, I'd go through Stempf who has a long standing relationship with K.E. I worry about wearing out my welcome every time I contact K.E. directly, even though the guy has been very pleasant thus far.

JMF

 

Just bought these.

 

I found the degree scale on Ebay, but not the stand for it.

Still my favorite gauge.

I wonder if the maker for these is still around, and if the website can be preserved.

JMF TAG